Thursday, April 16
From Mutual Aid Tompkins
If you have an immediate need, call (607) 288-3252
As always, community members looking for more information on local health resources and resources related to COVID-19 can contact 2-1-1 by calling 1-877-211-8667 or visiting 211tompkins.org
Mutual Aid Tompkins Facebook Page
Mutual Aid Tompkins Facebook Group
Mutual Aid Tompkins Immediate Needs Facebook Group
Mutual Aid Tompkins Food Systems Facebook Group
Mutual Aid Tompkins Community Form
Mutual Aid Tompkins Community Resource Folder
Find Help & Give Help
Donations: We are neighbors concerned about our communities and helping to make sure those most vulnerable and affected by COVID-19 get the support they need. We are volunteer run, with no paid staff, and our aid comes directly from the community. We have created a PayPal & Venmo account and the money donated is going directly to people who have made requests through our immediate needs page. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation through our fundraiser that is in partnership with Tompkins County Worker's Center, You can also make donations through PayPal here and our Venmo here. Thank you!
Need Help Finding Help? Contact 2-1-1 Tompkins Cortland: Callers are referred to service providers according to their needs. 2-1-1 may follow up with callers, when appropriate, to ensure that contact was made and to offer further assistance if needed. Some common questions include locations to find food, legal issues with housing, how to access healthcare, and finding employment. 2-1-1 is active 24 hours a day 365 days of the year. To access 2-1-1 by text, message your zip code to TXT211 or 898211. Texting service is available Mon-Fri 9:00 am – 4:00 pm). You can also access 2-1-1 services by email (iandr@hsctc.org) or by visiting their website.
Community Volunteer & Request Aid Form: Fill out this form if you would like to request aid (petty cash assistance, groceries, supplies, medicine, delivery), AND/OR if you would like to volunteer to give aid. THIS IS A NEW VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP FORM - please fill this out even if you had previously signed up to volunteer.
Older Adult Support Form: Read info here and fill out this form if you would like to provide assistance to older adults in Tompkins County.
Local
Tompkins County Health Department Tracking
Most recent data can always be found on the Tompkins County Health Department website.
As of 4/16 5:30pm
Total Tested: 2,606
Pending Results: 105
Positive Test Results: 119
Recovered: 93
Currently Hospitalized: 5
Total Deaths: 2 (both not from Tompkins County but transfers from downstate hospitals)
The CH Sampling Site is open Monday–Friday, 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. To pre-register, call Cayuga Health Registration Line at 607-319-5708, or go online to cayugahealthsystem.org.
Health inquiries in Tompkins County: 607-274-6604
New York State Hotline for COVID-19: 1-888-364-3065
Masks
Tompkins Mask Makers - now has a website. At Tompkins Mask Makers we’re connecting individuals and local businesses with local non-medical mask providers to encourage local commerce and mask production.
Request hand sanitizer and masks for businesses. If you are a business that needs hand sanitizer or homemade fabric masks, please contact Jennifer Tavares of the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce at jtavares@tompkinschamber.org. Be sure to indicate how many essential employees you're seeking masks for (and for what purpose/responsibilities), and how many gallons of hand sanitizer you would be interested in receiving in the next week or two. While they cannot make guarantees, they will do their best to accommodate requests.
Food
Food Pantry Pods - Mutual Aid Tompkins has carpenters ready to build neighborhood open food pantries, to be placed in accessible areas in neighborhoods around the county. The first of these pantries has been placed in Ithaca's Northside neighborhood across from the Permaculture Park.
These pantries will be regularly stocked with non-perishable foods and other essential items by volunteers. These goods are available to all, no questions asked. Click here to download the schematics for the food pantry. Suggested materials and resources here.
Send a Smile
The Older Adult Support of Mutual Aid Tompkins formed in an effort to focus on the needs of vulnerable residents living alone, in particular older adults, and to provide them with “smiles”. We are coordinating with local assisted living centers and organizations that serve vulnerable populations to understand how our Mutual Aid community and its eager volunteers can help the older population that is particularly at risk during this time. Please stay tuned here as we develop more opportunities to get involved.
WHAT CAN YOU DO NOW?
Send A Smile message to Older Adults and others who may be lonely during this time: You and your family can help raise the spirits of some of those who are isolated and lonely. Send us artwork, a letter or a video that can be shared to residents living alone and facilities who have requested some spirit-lifting.
Card/letter/story/poem: hobbies, school, pets, weather, music, movies, books, sports
Pictures: flowers or animals in your yard, an inspiring sign, an art project
Video: play an instrument, sing, dance, show off a magic trick, tell a joke, read a book
Email us your Smile message at SendASmileTompkins@gmail.com
All submissions must be appropriate and will be filtered as such
Be personal, if you feel comfortable. Personal touches create more connection
Donate Items To Senior Living Centers: word searches, magazines, laptops and iPads, books, art supplies, personal care supplies, board games (not with lots of small pieces), beading supplies, bingo prizes, small radios or cd players, headphones, etc.
Items will be quarantined prior to passing them out, but PLEASE also do not donate if you or someone in your house is sick, and wash hands/use hand sanitizer or gloves, etc. when gathering things and dropping off.
Email us at SendASmileTompkins@gmail.com for drop off locations in Lansing and Downtown Ithaca
Send this call to action to your network! The more smiles we can generate in this tough time, the more resilient we can be.
Fill out this form to tell us how else you would like to help
Know someone who would like to receive a Smile or could use a connection? Send them this request form or email us directly with their contact info.
Local Resources
Collaborative Tompkins County/City of Ithaca Small Business Resilience Fund offers $5000 forgivable loans. The Ithaca Tompkins County COVID-19 Small Business Resilience Fund (SBRF) will provide forgivable loans in the amount of up to $5,000 for working capital to micro-enterprises and small businesses in Ithaca and Tompkins County experiencing hardship related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Loans will carry a zero-interest rate, an 18 month term, and be forgiven for businesses open and in operation on December 1, 2020 that have complied with the program rules. Get all the info on the City of Ithaca website.
Tompkins County Area Development (TCAD) introduced short-term emergency relief funds for businesses in Tompkins County that have been impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic. The Emergency Relief Loan Program will provide 3-year term loans to traded sector businesses whose customers are regional or national in scope (businesses who primarily sell products or services outside Tompkins County). The loan will be for working capital to: Prevent staff reductions; Allow business operations to continue; Offset losses related to the Coronavirus COVID-19. Loan terms: Maximum amount offered for this 36-month loan is $50,000; Interest rate is 2.5%; Principal and interest payments are deferred for one year; There is no equity requirement. There is no cost to apply. There are no closing costs or filing fees. Loans will be available until funds are committed or until October 1, 2020. For further information and to request an application please contact Kathy May at kathym@tcad.org.
A look Inside Tompkins' COVID-19 Emergency Operations Center
Over a month ago, on March 13, a State of Emergency was declared in Tompkins County — shuttering schools and businesses, all in the effort of slowing the spread of COVID-19 so that medical professionals can meet the challenge of dealing with a novel disease without having to deal with unprecedented demand for medical care.While an emergency declaration stole the headlines, it was followed by the creation of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). The EOC has since served as a centralized response group for local officials and continues to address the shifting community needs in the face of COVID-19. Find out more here.
News
COVID-19: Lansing gas station closes abruptly after employee tests positive
The Tompkins County Health Department announced Thursday that an employee who works at the Lansing Mirabito Convenience Store has tested positive for COVID-19. The Ithaca Voice received a tip on Thursday morning that the location had closed abruptly overnight with a sign hung in the window informing patrons the location would be closed until April 20 for cleaning. An announcement from TCHD early Thursday afternoon confirmed that the closure was due to COVID-19. Learn more here.
State
NYS On PAUSE - has been extended until May 15th. All non-essential businesses and schools will continue to be closed until then. Wearing of masks is mandated for all New Yorkers while they are in public and not able to practice social distancing.
Governor Cuomo confirms 8,505 Additional Coronavirus Cases in New York State - Bringing Statewide Total to 222,284; New Cases in 48 Counties
National
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce posted a memo to begin the conversation about what a return to work will look like for the national economy. The document is intended to “spur discussion” and is divided into sections covering issues to resolve for a successful return to work: Some of our initial thoughts are detailed below across three different sections: 1. Essential Services and Resources; 2. Resolution of Regulatory and Legal Liability Issues; 3. Support for Businesses and Individuals. You can view the document here.
Six Museums to Explore virtually during lock down - this list includes Ithaca’s very own Museum of the Earth. Ranked right after the Louvre! Check out "Bees! Diversity, Evolution, Conservation" special exhibit available online.
"Trump tells govs 'you are going to call your own shots' and distributes new guidelines"
Kevin Liptak, Kristen Holmes and Ryan Nobles for CNN
"President Donald Trump unveiled new guidelines on Thursday meant to help states loosen their social distancing restrictions but told governors on an afternoon telephone call it was their decision on when and how to reopen their states." Read more here.
